• 1963-

  Fayette Pinkney1963-1976

  Linda Turner 1963

  Shirley Porter1963

  Helen Scott1963–66, 1976–present

  Valerie Holiday1967–present

  Sheila Ferguson1966-1986

  Freddie Pool2011–present
• The Three Degrees were formed in 1963 in Philadelphia. The trio were discovered by producer and songwriter Richard Barrett, who produced their first single, "Gee Baby (I'm Sorry)", a #80 hit in 1965.
• When Freddie Pool joined The Three Degrees in 2011, she was their fifteenth different member. The most successful lineup from 1967 to 1976 was Fayette Pinkney, Valerie Holiday and Sheila Ferguson, with the latter singing lead.
• The group appeared in the 1971 Oscar-winning movie The French Connection. Their cameo was filmed during one of their appearances at the Copacabana nightclub in New York, where they sung Jimmy Webb's "Everybody Gets to Go to the Moon."
• The Three Degrees signed with Philadelphia International Records under Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in 1973. Their first recording with the label was the US #1 hit "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)," which was the theme song for the TV show Soul Train.
• The Three Degrees were dubbed Charlie's Angels after it emerged the Prince of Wales was one of their biggest fans. They performed their best known song "When Will I See You Again" at Prince Charles' 30th birthday bash at Buckingham Palace in 1977.
• Apart from Nancy Reagan, The Three Degrees were the only American guests at Charles and Diana's wedding in 1981.
• "When Will I See You Again" was The Three Degrees' last of three US Top 40 hits. However, their success in the UK lasted longer, during which they clocked up a total of 11 Top 40 hits. The American trio's run on the other side of the Atlantic ended with "My Simple Heart" in 1979.

Comments

More Songfacts:

All Summer LongKid Rock

Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" is a mashup of "Werewolves Of London" and "Sweet Home Alabama." The album it came from was released in October, 2007, but the song wasn't issued as a single until summer, 2008 for a more seasonable release.

When I'm With YouSheriff

Sheriff had been disbanded for years when "When I'm With You" hit #1 in America thanks to rediscovery by radio stations. The group never re-formed and never made a video for the song.

FireThe Pointer Sisters

Bruce Springsteen originally wrote "Fire" for Elvis Presley in 1977, and even sent him a demo. Sadly the King died before he ever heard it, and it was left to the Pointer Sisters to record the song.

Brown Eyed GirlVan Morrison

Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" was originally called "Brown Skinned Girl," and was about an interracial relationship.

Rock LobsterThe B-52s

Vegetarian Fred Schneider of the B-52's got the idea for "Rock Lobster" at an Atlanta disco when a projector displayed images of lobsters on a grill.

Let's DanceDavid Bowie

Stevie Ray Vaughan played lead guitar on the David Bowie song "Let's Dance."

Editor's Picks

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Daniel LanoisSongwriter Interviews

Daniel Lanois on his album Heavy Sun, and the inside stories of songs he produced for U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan.

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.